Netflix orders Myron Bolitar series

Netflix ordered a drama series based on Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar novels on May 13, extending one of the streamer's longest-running author relationships. Deadline and Variety both reported the pickup, and Netflix executive Jinny Howe confirmed the project in comments carried by Variety. David E. Kelley and Kyle Long are writing, executive producing and co-showrunning the series, according to Deadline. Greg Yaitanes is attached to direct multiple episodes and executive produce, the reports said. ### Who is making the series? David E. Kelley and Kyle Long are leading the adaptation for Netflix, Deadline reported on May 13. Kelley, whose credits include "Big Little Lies," and Long, a writer-producer on "Suits," are writing, executive producing and co-showrunning the project, according to Deadline. Variety reported that Kelley will executive produce alongside Coben and said Long is also on the producing team. (deadline.com) Greg Yaitanes is set to direct multiple episodes, Deadline and Variety reported. Additional executive producers include Matthew Tinker for David E. Kelley Prods., Coben for Final Twist Productions, and Rick Muirragui, according to the trade reports. ### What story is Netflix adapting from the books? (deadline.com) The series centers on Myron Bolitar, a New Jersey sports agent whose basketball career ended after an injury, according to the logline published by Deadline and Variety. The character then uses "charm, smarts, and a ruthless partner" to navigate the sports business while trying to protect clients in dangerous situations, the reports said. (deadline.com) Variety said the novels began with 1995's "Deal Breaker" and described the franchise as a 12-novel series, with the most recent installment listed as 2024's "Think Twice." Deadline, citing Netflix's 2022 deal expansion, referred to the core property as Coben's 11-book Myron Bolitar series plus the offshoot novel "Win." That difference reflects how trade outlets are counting the related titles around the franchise. (deadline.com) ### Why has this project taken so long to reach a series order? Netflix expanded its Harlan Coben agreement in October 2022 to add 12 more titles, including the 11-book Myron Bolitar series and 2021's "Win," Deadline reported at the time. Coben said then that "one of our main goals is to make a Myron Bolitar series here in the USA," and called the character his "most prized possession." (variety.com) Deadline reported on May 13 that getting a Myron Bolitar series off the ground had been a top priority for Netflix since that 2022 renewal. The outlet also reported that Kelley joined the project more than a year before the formal order. ### How does this fit into Netflix's broader Harlan Coben business? (deadline.com) Netflix first announced an overall deal with Coben in August 2018, saying it would develop 14 existing titles and future projects into English-language and foreign-language series and films. At the time, the company said Coben had sold more than 75 million books and that his work had been translated into 43 languages. (deadline.com) Jinny Howe, Netflix's U.S. and Canada head of scripted series, said in comments published by Variety that the company was "honored" Coben had entrusted Netflix with "his most personal and iconic character, Myron Bolitar." Deadline said the partnership has now produced 11 series, including "Fool Me Once," "Safe," "The Woods," "The Innocent," "Gone for Good," "Stay Close," "Hold Tight," "The Stranger," "Missing You," "Just One Look" and "Caught." (about.netflix.com) Deadline also reported that "Run Away" debuted at No. 1 on Netflix's Top 10 in its opening week in January. ### What has Netflix not said yet? Netflix has not announced casting, a production start date or a premiere date for "Myron Bolitar." The company also has not issued a standalone news release about the order on its public newsroom pages that appeared in search results reviewed on May 17. May 13 is the clearest public milestone so far: that is when Deadline and Variety reported the series order and named the core creative team. (variety.com) The next concrete updates are likely to be casting, a production start, or a Netflix announcement naming an episode count and release window. (deadline.com)